Reuse of industrial built heritage for residential purposes in Manchester

In this thesis it has been analysed the reuse of industrial heritage which lost their functions because of the changing manufacturing model and urban planning and economic restructuring in Britain which is the first industrialised country in the world by taking Manchester as a case study. It has been argued how the industrial heritage of the world?s first industrial city has been included in urban life gaining new uses in the context of urban regeneration, urban revitalization, entrepreneurial urban policy and gentrification. One of the main functions this built heritage which consists of mainly cotton mills and warehouses gains is the housing. It has been argued the role of this new function in the aimed urban regeneration, urban revitalization and economic development. The most important local character and cultural heritage of the city has become an important asset to be well used in the context of urban regeneration and urban revitalization which started in the 1980?s. These buildings listed because of their social, cultural and architectural values have been converted into the high quality residential units which can meet the needs of contemporary urban life, in the partnership of central / local governmental authorities, private sector and designer. Housing investment in this area has been encouraged for the aim of making people move back to the city centre and thus creating a vibrant, sustainable and safe city centre living. With the spaces of leisure, cultural vii activities and recreation along side with the residential facilities being created the city centre living gets on the increase, as a result of this, social geography has also changed in this area. New residential buildings created in the industrial space with the innovative and original designs for the needs and taste of the city centre?s new users who are mainly young and rich offer a solution to the housing need and also bring an alternative housing model and a new way of living into the city. Thanks to the residents of these buildings the environment of the buildings has been transformed into more vibrant, livable and safer urban areas. These conversion applications also make important contributions to the changing the city?s image of being a gloomy industrial city and enhancing the city?s profile and providing the economic development by attracting the needed investment into the region that are the most important aims of the urban regeneration and urban revitalization. Keyword : Industrial heritage, industrial archaeology, reuse, urban regeneration, urban revitalization, image reconstruction, gentrification, loft apartments